Based on the divination tool known to ancient Mesoamerica as the Cross of Quetzalcoatl, or Tonalpohualli, The Toltec Oracle provides a sacred mirror in which to see our hidden truths. Using original Toltec literature and art, the symbolic meanings of the 20 Tonalpohualli cards are given, as well as 13 Ruler cards, depicting the deities and sacred principles of the Toltec tradition. More than 200 exercises and practical applications for the readings are included.

Description

About The Toltec Oracle

A 33-card oracle deck based on codices containing the original Toltec wisdom tradition

• An interactive oracle and divination tool that functions as a sacred mirror for self-exploration and soul transformation

• Contains over 200 exercises for applying the message from the readings

• Compiles the most important philosophical concepts and teachings of the Toltec from original sources of Toltec literature, poems, paintings, and philosophical texts

• Artwork on cards is from original 16th-century Toltec codices

Based on the divination tool known to the ancients of Mesoamerica as the Cross of Quetzalcoatl, or Tonalpohualli, The Toltec Oracle compiles the essence of the magical knowledge of the Toltec and provides a sacred mirror with which to see the hidden truths and potential of our souls in the context of the governing principles of life. The deck consists of 20 Tonalpohualli cards, calendar signs that represent archetypal situations of life, and 13 Ruler cards, which depict the main deities and sacred principles of the Toltec tradition. Using original sources of Toltec literature, poems, paintings, and philosophical texts, The Toltec Oracle gives the meaning of each card as it relates to Toltec symbolism and metaphysical concepts, as well as how that meaning is affected by the placement of the card in one of the four quadrants in the principle layout spread corresponding to body, mind, emotions, and spirit. More than 200 exercises and practices with practical applications for the readings accompany the cards.

Excerpt

Book Excerpt

Masatl--Deer

The deer was a very important figure in the Toltec tradition and is another representation of the Divinity. It is the main spiritual enticer that brings the seekers into the path of knowledge.

In this card, we see a spiritual seeker looking for a sacred vision. The deer is the one who will bring the vision. On the right upper corner we see the symbol of Venus, the planet representing Quetzalcoatl. The seeker is seated on a sacred mountain named Kuluwakan. The double heads of the mountain represent Ometeotl, the divine duality of everything that exists.

I now want to present here the story of the deer as it is told among the Wirrarika people (whom I call the surviving Toltec). It was told to me during the spiritual pilgrimages that I experienced with them over many years. The Wirrarika travel nearly 300 miles from the mountains where they live to their sacred places in the desert. My friend Tayau told me why:

Tamatz Kahullumary is the blue-deer, and he is the one we are searching for when we do our yearly pilgrimage into the sacred land of Humun-Kulluaby in the desert. It was Kahullumary who started the tradition of making pilgrimages to the sacred lands in the desert.

When the Kakayares (the Spirits) were organizing the world, humans didn’t know anything about pilgrimages, traditions, or looking for the Great Spirit. They just wanted to find food, eat, and survive. That was their only concern in life. But the Kakayares wanted the people to know about the spiritual forces among them. What was the point in having created humans and a world for them to live in if those humans knew nothing about the givers of their life?

The Kakayares tried to call the people’s attention in every possible way, but they wouldn’t respond. They were too busy looking for food. Storms, forest fires, earthquakes, and all kinds of blessings were sent to the people in order for them to realize their sacred bond with the Spirits, but the humans didn’t respond to these signs as the Kakayares wanted. Because of this, the Spirits called Kahullumary. He was a Kakayare who was the holder of the Book of Knowledge, the sacred book that contains all the knowledge in the world.

Kahullumary was assigned the task of attracting people to the path of knowledge. He was very smart and decided to trick the people by transforming himself into a blue deer. As a deer he showed himself to the people who were, of course, looking for food. When they saw him, they immediately wanted to hunt him because they imagined his meat would be good to eat.

But the blue deer was very fast and not easy to catch. As the people kept chasing him, he would run and run and run, taking them far away from the lands in which they lived. He kept running and the people kept chasing him, until they arrived in the desert, in the sacred land of Humun Kulluaby that we call the Blue Land (la tierra azul).

Then something extraordinary took place: as Kahullumary was running, in his footprints buttons of Hikuri (the sacred peyote) sprouted everywhere he went. The people could not catch him, for he was so fast. When the people reached exhaustion, they took a break to rest. They were hungrier than ever. In their despair, they looked around for anything to eat, and then they saw the Hikuri on the ground. Not knowing what it was, they ate it expecting it to be food. But instead they had dreams about the Spirits. They thought they were asleep but they were awake, dreaming. That is how, for the first time, they could see the blue deer not as food but as a teacher. They discovered Kahullumary’s sacred book and started to read it. In it they found the proper way to live and what our task in life is.

And this is how the whole pilgrimage tradition started, right there in the Blue Land that we also call The Paradise. That is why our pilgrimage is called, among other names, The Journey of Kahullumary. We still keep looking for him and seeking to read our own pages in that sacred book--that is what this whole tradition is about. . . .”

General Meaning

As we can see in the story of Tamatz Kahullumary, the blue deer, Masatl represents the quest for spiritual vision. Getting this card is a call for a vision that will show you what your task and path of heart will be from now on, or at least until the vision is fulfilled and another vision is needed.

Masatl suggests spiritual initiation and awakening to a higher state of awareness. It is an omen and a call. It is up to you to find out how and when you will respond to that call.

Meaning on the Quadrants

Tonakatl--Body/Material WorldMasatl in the body quadrant means that it is time for you to prepare your body for your encounter with the Great Spirit. It is time for you to check your eating habits, to see how they are working for you and what changes you may be needing to make. It is also a time to make sure you are getting enough movement and exercise. These activities will be good not only for your body but for your spirit as well.

The best space for you to reconnect with your body is amidst nature. Do activities outdoors as much as you can but be especially careful when engaging in practices that are new for you. Also, remember that even short periods of working out, if frequent, will help you more than very intense sessions that are practiced with no continuity.

Table of Contents

Table of content

Author’s Note

Acknowledgments

Preface

Part I: Entering the World of the ToltecThe Purpose of the Toltec Oracle Is the Toltec Oracle a Divination Tool? What Can You Get from the Toltec Oracle? How to Read This Book Indigenous Words in The Toltec Oracle A Brief Look at Toltec History, Culture, and Spirituality Ketsalkoatl Key Elements in the Toltec View of the World Toltec Practices Used with this OracleConsulting the Toltec Oracle Components of the Oracle Preparing the Setting for the Reading Three Ways to Consult the Oracle The Minimal Consultation Variation with Two Cards The Mirror of Life Spread Reading for Others How to Interpret the Cards

Anthropologist Victor Sanchez has dedicated his life to the preservation of the traditions of the indigenous peoples of Mexico with whom he has lived for 20 years. He is the author of The Teachings of Don Carlos, The Toltec Path of Recapitulation, and Toltecs of the New Millennium and conducts workshops worldwide. He lives in central Mexico.

Reviews

Reviews

Book Praise

Book Praise

“The Toltec Oracle is a powerful and insightful revelation of the core of the Toltec tradition, one of the world’s richest sources of ancient wisdom. Victor Sanchez once again gifts us with a highly rewarding and practical way to apply this shamanic knowledge to our daily lives.”José Stevens Ph.D., author of Secrets of Shamanism

“I love Victor’s integrity, his insight, and his depth. Using this oracle, I have learned more about Toltec spirituality and understood more about my own presence, as well as how to come into greater harmony with the whole--the holy circle of All My Relations.”Brooke Medicine Eagle, author of Buffalo Woman Comes Singing and The Last Ghost Dance

"Sanchez gives an overview of the Toltec spiritual principles such as dualism and interconnected fields of energy that their use is meant to incorporate." The Midwest Book Review

"Victor Sanchez has provided us with the first authoritative account of the Toltec Wisdom tradition based on the actual codices. The text itself was direct and, for me, quite personal. I must say how completely impressed I am with the whole process!"Philip Glass, composer

"If you have ever been fascinated by ancient cultures or if you want something that is set apart from the more common tarot or oracle decks, then this set is worth the look." Ladyfogg's Deck Reviews, Oct 2005

“Victor Sanchez is a Mexican author, retreat organiser, psychotherapist trainer and workshop facilitator and specialist in MesoAmerican spiritual tradition. Original artwork of the cards is taken from 400 year old codices. The book contains information on how to conduct a reading with this oracle, various suggested spreads, an explanations of Toltec history, culture and spirituality and how to understand the indigenous words used in the book...Fascinating and a huge amount to learn about the ancient people of MesoAmerica!” Wendy Stokes, Aeclectic Tarot, December 2012

Back Cover

Back Cover Copy

“The Toltec Oracle is a powerful and insightful revelation of the core of the Toltec tradition, one of the world’s richest sources of ancient wisdom. Victor Sanchez once again gifts us with a highly rewarding and practical way to apply this shamanic knowledge to our daily lives.”José Stevens Ph.D., author of Secrets of Shamanism

“I love Victor’s integrity, his insight, and his depth. Using this oracle, I have learned more about Toltec spirituality and understood more about my own presence, as well as how to come into greater harmony with the whole--the holy circle of All My Relations.”Brooke Medicine Eagle, author of Buffalo Woman Comes Singing and The Last Ghost Dance

Based on the divination tool known in ancient Mesoamerica as the Cross of Quetzalcoatl, The Toltec Oracle conveys the essence of the spiritual wisdom of the Toltec and provides a sacred mirror with which to see the hidden truths and potential of our souls. The deck consists of 33 cards--20 Tonalpohualli cards derived from day-signs in the Toltec calendar that represent the archetypal forces of life, and 13 Ruler cards that depict the main deities and sacred principles of the Toltec tradition--as well as a color layout for readings. Using original sources of Toltec literature, poems, paintings, and philosophical texts, The Toltec Oracle gives the meaning of each card as it relates to Toltec symbolism and metaphysics. The oracle also shows how that meaning is affected by the placement of the card in one of the four layout quadrants that correspond to body, mind, emotions, and spirit. The more than 200 guiding principles and practices that accompany the card explanations provide meaningful applications of the wisdom of the readings.

Anthropologist VICTOR SANCHEZ has dedicated his life to the preservation of the traditions of the indigenous peoples of Mexico. He is the author of The Teachings of Don Carlos, The Toltec Path of Recapitulation, and Toltecs of the New Millennium, and conducts workshops on Toltec teachings and personal growth worldwide. He lives in central Mexico.

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